Youth Meat Goat Project
And
New and Beginning Farmer
Sponsored by The New Jersey Department of Agriculture FSMIP Grant
Purpose: To instill the management and marketing skills needed to succeed in the meat goat
industry within the framework of a youth and adult program that encourages record-keeping,
planning, communication and leadership.
Objective: This program shall implement the goals of the Department of improved farm health,
and successful marketing strategies.
Program Outline
Youth will be selected from FFA Chapters and 4-H Clubs within the Garden State to
receive Jr. Breeder Loans to purchase meat kids from the Pool Purchasing Program designated
by the Department. These kids will be approximately 60 days of age and of similar breed type.
All will originate from a farm that has been certified by the Department to be bio-secure with a
herd free from disease. The kids will be quarantined prior to delivery and tested according to
NJDA Animal Health protocol to ensure health standards.
To qualify, each participant must agree to:
Have a Department representative inspect his/her property where the project
animals will be finished
Follow a prescribed health and feeding program to insure the well-being of the
project animals
Handle the project animals in a humane manner
Maintain up- to- date records of growth and care in the record book provided
Show and sell the project animal thru the pool-marketing program
Submit a deposit of $25.00 per animal
Youth and adults should participate in the carcass evaluation
Note: any member unable to attend the show and sale may assign another FFA or 4-H
member the task of representing him/her in the show ring and sale ring.
Special Educational Features of this project:
- The FFA and 4-H members will meet members of the agricultural community who
have a special commitment to youth in agriculture in our state.
- Training in concise and accurate record keeping will enable the youth and adult to
compare and adopt methods of livestock management that prove successful
- The youth and adults will gain experience in preparing their animals for show and
sale
- The youth and adults will learn how to meet the market requirements to satisfy
different ethnic markets and how to adapt feeding and sales techniques to meet
consumer demand
- Market information and advertising will be reviewed
- The youth and adults will become familiar with various state and federal programs
and agencies that serve agriculture, as well as methods of promoting and selling
livestock
Goals of the Program:
1. Promote youth and adult involvement in agriculture
2. Form a coalition between youth and state agriculturists
3. Create a network of cooperation between the Department of Agriculture, Rutgers
Cooperative Extension, the youth and new and beginning farmers, Breeders of Meat
Goats and major livestock auctions
4. Investigate the “branding” of local goat meat, “naturally grown” and “Jersey Bred”
Page 1
New Jersey Youth/Adult Meat Goat Record Form
Name___________________________________ Date of Birth _____________
Address _________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Email address ________________________________Grade in School _______
New, Existing, or Beginning Farmer ___________________________________
I agree to the attached regulations of raising a meat goat ___________________
I agree to provide my child with the financial and moral support necessary to complete this
project.
_________________________________(parent or guardian) __________(date)
_________________________________(parent or guardian) __________ (date)
I recommend this member for this project __________________________ _____
(4-H leader or FFA Advisor) (date)
If you have any problems meeting these requirements or have a concern, contact:
Dan Wunderlich at 609-292-6382 or Robin Bruins at 609-259-2347
Photo of project animal on Day 1 of Project
Page 2
Feeding Table
Instructions: Record the amount of feed and hay fed in pounds per day
Animal Health
Instructions: record all injections, de-worming medications, topical medications and hoof
treatments given for both preventative care and treatment of specific conditions
NJ Sheep and Goat Health Assurance Program Quality Assurance record Book is available for
record keeping from the NJDA.
Date of treatment
Name of product used
Cost of treatment
Outcome
Management Decisions
Describe housing for your project animal –
Describe the pasture available –
Approximate acres
If pastured with other animals, describe species and numbers
Training Techniques
Describe how you trained your goat to lead
Stand
Load in a truck or trailer
Goat Evaluation
What is the best conformation feature of your goat?
What is the worst?
Does he move soundly and freely?
Project Development
Did you use this project animal to promote agriculture in any way?
Record any shows you attended and your success.
Project Outcome
Expenses
Initial deposit
Initial cost of animal
Total cost of Feed
Total cost of Health Care
Incidental costs
Total cost
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
Income
Amount made as result of sale ________
Profit or Loss
_________